Newcastle transfer news: Atletico Madrid want to sell Joao Felix in January

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Atletico Madrid reportedly want to sell Newcastle United target Joao Felix in January.

That is according to ESPN, who believe that the 23-year-old is one of four Atleti players who have been made available for a transfer next month. The other three players are Matheus Cunha, Felipe and Mario Hermoso.

ESPN add that Diego Simeone’s side are looking to balance the books, and will therefore look to move some players on when the transfer window opens.

And Felix is one player they are keen to get rid of. After spending £113million on him in the summer of 2019, Atletico are ready to cut their losses and move the Portuguese youngster on.

The report adds that they will consider offers of more than £86million, which coincides with what AS claimed at the start of the month.

That kind of figure would make him Newcastle’s record signing, having recently been linked with a move to the North East.

And it also makes a move to St James’ Park incredibly unlikely. It has recently been reported that the Toon owners have no plans to make significant investment in the January transfer window.

Signing Felix for a club record fee would be a huge u-turn. But perhaps Atletico’s willingness to sell could give the Magpies a chance to negotiate.

Why Atletico Madrid want to sell Joao Felix

ESPN add that Atletico’s finances have taken a hit after they were eliminated from the Champions League. They failed to make it out of their group, with Porto and Club Brugge finishing above them.

Bayer Leverkusen also won more points than them and finished third, meaning Atletico haven’t even dropped into the Europa League.

That means they have missed out on a lot of income, and now need to act in January. And that means finding suitors for the likes of Felix.

That is why his agent Jorge Mendes is talking to Premier League clubs like Newcastle about a move in 2023.

But is anyone going to fork out the £86million that Atletico want? It is a huge amount of money to pay – particularly in a January transfer window.

Perhaps his price will drop towards the end of January, as Atletico’s desperation to get rid increases. That could create an opening for Newcastle to bring the forward to Tyneside.

A move to Newcastle would see Felix reunited with Kieran Trippier, who believes that the Portugal international is a ‘very special player‘. He has to be if the club can justify spending that much money on one player!